embarrass

present singular third person embarrasses · participle present embarrassing · participle past embarrassed · past embarrassed

1. transitiveTo disrupt someone's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely.

   The crowd's laughter and jeers embarrassed him.

   Synonyms: abase, abash, bring low, confuse, confound, debase, degrade, demean

2. transitiveTo hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct.

   The motion was advanced in order to embarrass the progress of the bill.

   3 more examples

   If they [registers] act It all, it must be by opposing their flat surfaces to the current of rising smoke in a manner which cannot fail to embarrass and impede its motion..

   1796, Benjamin Count of Rumford, “Of Chimney Fire-places”, in Essays, Political, Economical and Philosophical, page 330

   This will... be the principal part of education; and this alone will effectively dispel that theological philosophy, which, in its decline, is still powerful enough to embarrass the course both of intellectual and social progress.

   1896, The Positive Philosophy of Auguste Comte, Frederic Harrison, page 418, volume 3

   In the case at bar, there is very little beyond bare assertions and bald statements against the unidentified and unspecified Defendant(s). The claim is vexatious in that the Defendant, if identifiable, is left both embarrassed and unable to defend itself. The Court is left with a proceeding so ill-defined that it is unable to discern an argument, or identify any specific material facts.

   2004 October 15, Judith A. Snider, “kisikawpemootewin v. Canada, 2004 FC 1426”, in CanLII, retrieved 07 Nov 2020

3. transitiveTo involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to encumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands.

   A man or his business is embarrassed when he cannot meet his pecuniary engagements.

4. formaltransitiveTo perplex mentally; confuse, disconcert; catch off guard.

1. A river or settlement in the United States:
   1. A river in Minnesota, a tributary of the Saint Louis River.
   2. A river in Wisconsin, a tributary of the Wolf River.
   3. A township in Edgar County, Illinois.
   4. A township and unincorporated community therein, in St. Louis County, Minnesota.
   5. A village in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, located on the above river.